New Directions for Diabetes Interview

On a beautiful, clear day in November, the editorial staff of DIABETES HEALTH gathered on the 31st floor of the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco’s Union Square for our first-but definitely not last-editorial retreat.

After taking a little time to view the city from our lofty position, we settled down to discuss our vision of DIABETES HEALTH and how it can be improved.

For two consultants-Cindy Onufer and Jan Chait, who work from their home offices-it was the first chance to meet the people they work with. DIABETES HEALTH recently added these members to the staff to improve the content and give you news you can use in your diabetes management.

Cindy, who lives in the San Francisco area where DIABETES HEALTH is based, has been a member of our advisory board for 10 years and now sits in the newly created position of medical editor. A registered nurse and certified diabetes educator, Cindy has been educating people about diabetes for many years. Her interest in journalism dates back to her high school days, when she served as editor of the school newspaper.

Jan is a former reporter and editor for a daily newspaper and editor of a monthly business journal who lives in Terre Haute, Indiana. She has written for DIABETES HEALTH for more than one year and is our new content editor. Jan was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1986 and has a particular interest in helping to keep people with diabetes informed about the latest research and standards of diabetes care.

They joined me, managing editor Daniel Trecroci, editor Radha McLean, circulation manager Jennifer Armor, circulation assistant Jennifer Horton and Gary Arsham, MD, PhD, author of “Diabetes, A Guide to Living Well.” Gary, who has lived with diabetes for 43 years, is also a member of our advisory board.

In addition to becoming acquainted with each other in person, we discussed… well, you. How can we make DIABETES HEALTH more interesting for you? How can the magazine better address your needs?

Suggestions we discussed ran the gamut from ideas for articles-and how they should be illustrated-to how to improve the accuracy of those articles. We even critiqued the size of DIABETES HEALTH and the style of the cover.

Look for some changes.

Ten years ago, when DIABETES HEALTH was “born,” it was as a mimeographed transcript of a radio show in which I would interview people in the diabetes field about trends in research and diabetes care. It evolved into a publication with a newspaper look and then to the tabloid-sized publication you’re holding in your hands.

We have heard your requests about our size. You told us you want a smaller magazine that fits in your mailbox and library and allows you to keep it as an ongoing reference source. Look for these new exciting changes in our February 2002 issue.

We also decided that the cover illustrations themselves were too “busy” and needed to be simplified.

Beginning with this issue, each word and illustration will be reviewed by at least two more pairs of eyes, checking for accuracy and accessibility.

My role as editor-in-chief will be changing as well. I will be focusing my efforts on increasing circulation. Part of my plans include traveling around the country to meet researchers, educators and readers in person to find out what’s going on and what they-and you-believe is important about the world of diabetes.

If you have any ideas to pass along, contact any member of the editorial staff, and we’ll make sure your suggestions are discussed among us.

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